The Cavaliers didn’t overhaul their roster this offseason, but that quiet approach may end up giving a few younger players a real chance to carve out bigger roles.
Jaylon Tyson is the clearest name to watch. Dominic Pagura of NBA on SI pointed to Tyson, Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Tyrese Proctor as three players who could see expanded opportunities in 2026-27.
Tyson already has the strongest case after putting together a solid second season, averaging 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 66 games with 42 starts. He also became a real rotation option during Cleveland’s run to the Eastern Conference finals.
Tomlin could benefit from a frontcourt that isn’t especially deep, while Proctor is looking to build on a rookie year that saw him play in 50 games and average 5.4 points.
That said, Cleveland may still have another move in it. The Cavaliers remain linked to restricted free agents Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga, and either one would have a major impact on how the rotation looks.
In Boston, Paul George has quickly shifted from headline-grabber to supporting piece after the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, but the Celtics still see a player with plenty left to give. John Karalis of NBA on SI looked at how George could mesh with Jayson Tatum, especially because George can thrive as a shooter without needing the ball as often as Brown did.
He knocked down 39.2 percent of his threes last season and was especially dangerous on spot-up looks.
“We just think he’s a good fit for how we play,” Celtics president Brad Stevens said. “He’s very smart. He has a good feel for the game.”
The biggest question is health. George played in only 78 games over his two seasons in Philadelphia, so Boston is expected to be careful with his workload.
The Celtics don’t need him to be Brown’s replacement. They need him available when it counts.
Phoenix, meanwhile, pulled off a cap move that looked odd at first but makes a lot more sense on closer inspection. The Suns waived Haywood Highsmith, then brought him back a few days later. As Brendan Mau of NBA on SI reported, Spotrac’s Keith Smith explained that Phoenix was able to wipe out Highsmith’s old cap hit without carrying dead money because his deal included an injury exclusion.
Highsmith returned on a non-guaranteed veteran minimum contract with a smaller cap charge. The end result saved the Suns more than $500,000 against the cap and more than $3 million in luxury-tax payments, while also giving them extra flexibility if Highsmith doesn’t stick for the full season.
In Other News...
Cavs Just Made A Costly Wing Bet For Their Playoff Push
Cleveland made a significant swing on the wing as part of a three-team deal with Denver and the Clippers, reshuffling the roster in a move clearly aimed at the playoff push. The Cavaliers are bringing in a young, versatile piece in Peyton Watson on a four-year, $88 million contract, while Max Strus is headed to Los Angeles in the same transaction.
The price tag, though, is the part that will linger. To complete the deal, Cleveland gave up a future first-round pick that is unprotected, a steep cost for a team trying to balance immediate contention with long-term flexibility. For a roster built to win now, it is the kind of move that can look bold in April and a lot more complicated if the playoff run does not go the way the Cavs hope. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Just Got Pulled Into A Move With Bigger NBA Stakes
A five-team deal this week sent Peyton Watson from Denver to Cleveland, adding another layer to a transaction that already moved multiple draft picks and player pieces around the league. For the Cavaliers, the headline is the arrival of a young forward with a chance to fit into a new look rotation, but the ripple effect reaches well beyond Cleveland as rival front offices keep adjusting to what the trade changed.
Denvers next move is what makes this especially interesting from a Cavs perspective. The Nuggets are now being linked to free agent DeMar DeRozan, who was recently waived by Sacramento, and a possible signing would give Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray another proven scorer to lean on. Cleveland may have come out of the trade with Watson, but the wider stakes keep climbing as the Nuggets look to answer right away. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers May Have Caught A Break In Denvers Growing Contract Mess
The Cavaliers may have found a timely opening in Denvers contract situation, as Peyton Watson has moved on after the Nuggets reportedly were unwilling to meet his asking price. For Cleveland, it is the kind of roster development that can come from patience and a little friction elsewhere, especially when a team with championship expectations starts feeling the squeeze of its own payroll decisions.
Christian Brauns long-term deal is part of the backdrop here, and the criticism around that contract has only sharpened the pressure on Denvers front office. With four years still left after this season, the Nuggets have less room to maneuver than they would like, and Watsons departure serves as another reminder that even good teams can find themselves boxed in when the numbers stop lining up. [Read more 🡒]